Monday, March 24, 2014

Magandang Tanghali!!

Family!

Well, I am sitting in a computer shop and it is
pouring outside, but I am sure that this is nothing compared to the raining
season. This is only my second real rainstorm here so far... but I love
it. I actually love the rain. I don't know why, but it is just sort of
calming to me. Plus it cleans out all the smog from the air.

I Love the weather here.

I
also experienced my first... umm....ash storm? Some might have thought it
was snow, but no... it was pure ash. Haha Sister Ott and me went out to
run a couple mornings ago and ash was just falling from the sky. I think
that someone was burning their garbage or something far away but the wind
carried it over into our subdivision. Pretty crazy!

To
answer your questions, we have a refrigerator and a stove. That's it.

We
have a nice shower with a shower head but it is just cold. I have gotten
used to that though, and it makes it easy to take quick showers :)

Haha
and the next morning we went out and our neighbors had a giant tent set up in
front of their house... I thought it was for a wedding or something. It
had bows and flowers everywhere and they invited us over for lunch later that
day. We asked for what occasion and they said it was their 7 year old's
birthday party!!! Haha crazy. So as we were finishing up our comp and
language study we could hear the birthday song playing over and over, so we
went for our lunch hour and it was so extravagant! I couldn't believe it.
Haha they had sooo much delicious food and this huge display of their daughter
with all of these beauty shops, adorned with little sausages on sticks that had
pink marshmallows on top and bottom. So funny. We figured it would
be a good place to meet some people and OYM (open your mouth). We made a
card for the little girl and she was sitting in this chair with the biggest
poofiest purple dress you have ever seen and make up on. Haha she looked
a little bit uncomfortable. Anyway, we were grateful to be able to meet
some of our neighbors, and have free food of course, but I could not believe how
elaborate of a party for a 7 year old.

This is in Noble, a subdivision where a lot of members are and I
just thought those chairs were ridiculous so I hurried and had Sister Hingano
take a picture of me in them. They were just in some random person's yard
so I hope that they don't care:s they were just outrageous!!!

There
is so much poverty here, but we do live in a nice subdivision and it's
interesting to see the contrast. It's those same neighbors that let us go
and pick malungay from their tree, this nutritious, vegetable/leaf that we make
in a soup with vegetables and ginger. So delicious:) We also found
out that the bakery is moving that was right by our house, so we are a little
bit sad about that.

As
for our work in the area it is going well. We have really built a good
relationship with the members, which is crucial, and I just love the people
here. Jason and Marylin are getting married on the 28th and so we are
excited about that. Jason's brother Jerry and his girlfriend Rodelyn want
to get baptized as well, but they need to get married first so it will take
some time.

Last
night, we had a cool experience where our tricycle driver, as we were getting
off and paying him... he just randomly said, "Can I ask a question?
What if I were to die tomorrow? Where would I go?" Haha
so perfect. I had a plan of salvation pamphlet with me and so we
explained a little bit and we are meeting with him tonight to share our
message. It is crazy to see how the Lord will put people in our path, and
us in their path. It really is His work.

the Cantos family

I
have learned so much this week about how we need to become. As a
missionary, I really need to apply the things that I am teaching. I
decided this week that the first Christ-like attribute that I really want to
work on is charity. Charity never fails. It is the true, most purest
form of love, true Christ-like love for others. I know that I have a long
way to go, but I really want to develop it. When we have true charity,
there isn't room for pride or selfishness. It doesn't seek her own.

Sister Ajeda and me, she is one of the members who is so active and istig!!! We are
really trying to reactivate her husband and one of her son's girlfriend is our
investigator. Her name is Baby Ajeda. I love her. Super sweet
and always willing to work with us.

Being
on a mission, it seems like your weaknesses become glaringly obvious. But
I am just so grateful for this time that is set apart, so that I can truly try
and become. Surely it takes a whole life time, with consistence, to make
those big changes. But I am grateful to get a start. I know that
charity is a gift from God. We must constantly ask for it in prayer, and
through our faith in Jesus Christ we can become.

not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things,
hopeth all things, endureth all things.

46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave
unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—